Chapter 207: Chapter 202: Such a person is easy to destroy
Again, it’s this sentence.
Almost the same as last time, except this isn’t the palace within Ziwei Palace; everything else, even the gleeful smile in his eyes as he looks at me, is almost identical.
Shang Ruyi paused for a moment, then slowly stepped forward and bowed, "Minister—Ruyi pays respect to Your Majesty."
Footsteps sounded softly as he walked towards her.
Shang Ruyi still kept her head lowered, seeing only a snow-white hem swaying gracefully into view, and beneath those hems were the familiar, snow-white luxurious silk shoes.
Above her, Chu Yang’s voice lazily sounded with a smile—
"Waiting for you here is Yang Suyi."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi’s breath momentarily halted again.
After a long silence, she slowly stood up and looked at the incredibly handsome smiling face in front of her, and she could only softly say, "Young Master Yang."
Chu Yang nodded with satisfaction, then flicked his sleeve and sat in front of the low table, gesturing for her to sit down as well. Shang Ruyi had no other choice but to apologize and sit across from him, watching as he personally poured her a cup of warm wine and brought it before her.
Shang Ruyi accepted with both hands: "Thank you."
"That’s just right,"
Chu Yang became even more proud, saying with a smile, "It’s still Yang Suyi who meets you well, with Yang Suyi, we can more truly be ourselves."
Shang Ruyi chuckled bitterly: "Your Majesty... Young Master Yang can be himself anytime."
"Hmm,"
Chu Yang raised a finger and shook it, saying, "In the palace, I can only be the Emperor; everything I say and think must be scrutinized by those officials who watch me every moment. If there’s anything that doesn’t please them, they file reports and advise, some even try to kill themselves before me, as if I’ve done something that deserves divine punishment!"
"..."
"But what I want to do is clearly beneficial for the country and the people, yet these people are short-sighted and cannot see it at all."
"..."
"They only care about their official reputation and my reputation."
"..."
"But, what use is reputation? The Canal I’ve built, Eastern Capital I’ve raised, and the future Liaodong City I’ll conquer, that is the true accomplishment!"
As he spoke, he lifted his head slightly excitedly and looked at Shang Ruyi with a smile, "But I know, you understand."
Shang Ruyi looked at him: "Your Majesty—"
She suddenly found that, although she could never predict the mind of the seemingly gentle and kind Empress, the eccentric and unrestrained Emperor’s thoughts were actually very easy to see through.
At least at this moment, she saw through him.
Chu Yang sought her out again and again, even seized the opportunity when the Empress summoned her to the palace to "capture" her, just to make her understand him.
He kept saying that she was a confidant, but now it seems he wasn’t seeking a confidant but desperately wanted someone who understood him, knew him, and made him feel less lonely in this world.
She merely stumbled into his sight... that’s all.
Such a person seems obstinate and firm, but actually, is easy to destroy.
Shang Ruyi lifted her head, looking at that handsome face with a child-like proud and confident smile; her lips parted slightly, appearing to want to say something, yet her throat felt blocked, struggling multiple times, unable to squeeze out a single word.
Chu Yang’s gaze remained intense, looking at her: "You understand, don’t you?"
"..."
After a long silence, Shang Ruyi finally spoke, her voice carrying a slight hoarseness, "...Yes."
Just this one word, like the warm breeze of spring suddenly blowing into the harsh winter, Chu Yang’s whole being seemed delighted, he laughed heartily and simultaneously filled the cup in Shang Ruyi’s hands with more wine.
"Drink some, this wine is just perfectly warmed now. I know, coming from the palace, you must be chilled."
"Emperor... Young Master Yang, do you know about Empress summoning me today?"
"I certainly do,"
Chu Yang replied with a faint smile, "I understand very well what she’s thinking."
Shang Ruyi said, "Does the Empress have thoughts?"
Chu Yang glanced at her, his gaze suddenly seeming to turn cold, he said, "Actually, you ask unnecessarily."
"Why?"
"The Empress summoned you to the palace, spoke warmly to you, naturally because there’s advantage to be gained from you."
"Advantage... to be gained?"
Shang Ruyi’s expression gradually turned solemn, recalling the gentle and kind face of Empress Jiang she had seen over those days, coupled with those four words, suddenly made her feel a chill.
And Chu Yang, raising his head, finished the cup of wine in one gulp, said, "You don’t need to feel afraid, seeking advantage doesn’t necessarily mean wanting to harm you. In this palace, no, even in this world, it’s the most common thing."
"..."
"The world bustling, all for profit; the world in turmoil, all for gain."
"..."
"Only I, exchange hearts with you, neither for fame nor gain; you need not worry that I will harm you."
Shang Ruyi had been weighed down by those four words, but hearing Chu Yang’s words, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud—being the Emperor, did he need to seek fame and gain from anyone? It’s truly a ridiculous thought.
Thinking thus, she smiled lightly, "Your Majesty’s words truly flatter Ruyi. But—"
"But what?"
"But, did Your Majesty painstakingly bring Ruyi here today, really for no gain, just to say those few words?"
As she spoke, her gaze gently shifted to the letter placed on the table.
Chu Yang, ever perceptive, understood immediately.
He smiled faintly, "Ruyi, you are indeed extraordinarily wise."
Shang Ruyi steadied her expression, saying softly, "Your Majesty has strategies, ambitions to unify the world, but even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and that first step is—"
As she paused here, without hesitation, Chu Yang continued, "It’s provisions."
Shang Ruyi looked at him.
Chu Yang smiled lightly, "You are right. When I speak of my plans to the civil and military officials in the court about my intention to wage war again against Liaodong, they find myriad reasons to obstruct me, ultimately citing lack of provisions to ask me to reconsider my decision."
"..."
"After thoroughly inspecting the granaries within Eastern Capital City, indeed, they can no longer support another military endeavor by the court."
"So—"
Shang Ruyi asked softly, "Is the battle for Xingluo Granary indicative of Your Majesty’s everlasting endeavor?"
Chu Yang’s expression gradually darkened, as if unwilling to admit he could be influenced by external matters, but ultimately he couldn’t avoid acknowledgment, letting out a long sigh.
This silent sigh was an admission.
Shang Ruyi’s expression grew more tense; she glanced again at that letter, then softly asked, "So how is the current situation at Xingluo Granary?"